X-brace valve and flexible connection for fire sprinklers

ABSTRACT

A fire sprinkler head ( 12 ) has a valve ( 42 ) with an X-brace latch ( 54 ), and includes a flexible conduit ( 14 ). A sprinkler nozzle ( 16 ) is secured to a first end of the flexible conduit ( 14 ). The sprinkler nozzle ( 16 ) includes a first fitting ( 28 ), a sprinkler orifice ( 20 ) and fusible element ( 22 ). A second fitting ( 40 ) is secured to the second end of the flexible conduit ( 14 ) and includes the valve ( 42 ). The valve ( 42 ) has a valve element ( 44 ) which is moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link ( 56 ) extends from the sprinkler nozzle ( 16 ) to the X-brace valve latch ( 54 ). Breaking of the fusible element ( 22 ) releases the flexible link ( 56 ) to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve ( 42 ) for flow there-through.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/496,347, filed 13 Jun. 2011, invented by BuddyClay Shipman, and entitled “Sprinkler Hose Assembly,” and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/490,737, filed 27 May 2011,invented by Buddy Clay Shipman, and entitled “Corrosion ResistantStraight or Flexible Dry Fire Sprinkler Tube With X-Brace.”

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to fire sprinkler systems, andin particular to fire sprinkler heads used for sprinkler systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art conventional dry barrel sprinklers for use in commercial firesprinkler systems are sold to fire system installers in fixed lengths.The installer has to first install branch line piping for a sprinklersystem and then measure a suitable length for dry barrel fire sprinklersfor installation. An installer will order fire sprinklers for theinstallation according to the lengths measured. Delivery typically takesseven to ten business days, which delays installation and completion ofconstruction projects. Longer delays occur if mistakes are made inmeasuring and the fire sprinklers have to be reordered in a differentlength.

Dry fire sprinkler systems often deteriorate rapidly due to condensationbeing trapped in such systems. With rigid dry sprinkler systems, anincreased number of fittings is often required to route rigid pipingfrom a branch line to a desired fire sprinkler head location. Thisincrease in the number of fittings results in providing additionalplaces where condensation may collect without being able to drain.Additionally, dry fire sprinkler systems are filled with air or inertgas which is expelled during operation of such sprinkler systems. Theresponse time for expelling air from the system and providing water to afire zone is critical for containing a fire. With additional piping andfittings required for routing dry fire sprinkler systems, the volumerequired for evacuation and filling with water is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A novel X-brace valve and flexible connection for fire sprinklers aredisclosed. The X-brace is preferably included in a flexible firesprinkler head, but may also be used in rigid sprinkler installations.The flexible fire sprinkler head is preferably a pendent dry firesprinkler head, which has a flexible body structure, constructed ofcorrugated or braided hose similar to that commonly used for plumbinghousehold clothes washing machines. A sprinkler nozzle secured to afirst end of the conduit, which is preferably provided by a flexiblehose. The sprinkler nozzle has a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice andfusible element. The fusible element is preferably provided by a fluidfilled glass bulb which will break when ambient temperatures reach apredetermined temperature. A second fitting is secured to a second endof the flexible conduit, and a valve is mounted to the second fitting.The valve includes a valve element which is pivotally mounted to thesecond fitting and moveable from a latched position to an unlatchedposition. A flexible link extends from the sprinkler nozzle to the valvelatch. Breaking of the fusible element releases the flexible link tomove from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing thevalve to open for passing flow there-through. The flexible link providesa spring biased plunger having a plug which fits in the sprinklerorifice to seal against fluid flow there-through. Tension from thespring pulls the rod, or plunger, from within an X-brace valve latchwhich releases the valve element to open and pass water through thevalve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which FIGS. 1through 7 show various aspects for x-brace valve and flexible connectionfor fire sprinklers devices made according to the present invention, asset forth below:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a dryflexible fire sprinkler head made according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is sectional view of the flexible fire sprinkler head of FIG. 1,taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows a frontal elevationview of an X-brace valve latch in an unlatched position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of slider lock of the X-brace latch ofFIG. 2, and shows the slider lock in a released position;

FIG. 4 is sectional view of the flexible fire sprinkler head of FIG. 1,taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows frontal elevation viewof the X-brace valve latch in a latched position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a slider lock of the X-brace latch ofFIG. 4, and shows the slider lock in a latched position;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the slider lock of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an alternative lock pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and partialcut-away view of a dry flexible fire sprinkler head 12 made according tothe present invention. The sprinkler head 12 has a conduit 14, which isprovided a flexible conduit such as that formed with an outer cover ofbraided metal. A sprinkler nozzle 16 is mounted to a first end of theflexible conduit 14 and a connector fitting 32 is mounted to a secondend of the conduit 14. The sprinkler nozzle 16 preferably includes afitting 18, a sprinkler orifice, and a fusible element 22, such as afluid filled glass bulb as is conventionally used in other firesprinkler heads. The fusible element 22 breaks when exposed to apredetermined temperature. A diffuser 26, or spray plate, and supportarms 28 are also provided. The connector fitting 32 is preferablysecured to the second end of the flexible conduit 14 with an elbowfitting 40 there-between. The connector fitting 32 preferably connectsthe sprinkler head 12 to a pipe T 34 in a sprinkler branch line 36. Aconnector coupling 38 secures the fitting 32 to the pipe T 34. A valve42 is preferably provided between the fitting 32 and the flexibleconduit 14. The valve 42 is preferably a swing check valve, such as aclapper valve, and includes a swing-type valve element 44, or clapper,mounted by means of a pivot 46 for angularly moving to engage a seal 48against a seal seat 50. An X-brace valve latch 54 is provided forsecuring the valve element 44 in a latched position until the sprinklerhead 12 is opened for flow by means of the fusible element 22 breakingin response to exposure to high temperatures.

A flexible link 56 extends from the valve latch 54 to the sprinklernozzle 16. A first end of the flexible link 56 has a link pin 58 forfitting into the valve latch 54 as described herein-below to secure thevalve latch 54 in a latched position. A second end of the link pin 58has a plug adapter 60 for securing the flexible link 56 to the sprinklerplug 24, such that removal of the sprinkler plug 24 due to breaking ofthe fusible element 22 will allow downward movement of the flexible link56. An intermediate portion 62 of the flexible link 56 connects the plugadapter 60 to the link pin 58. Centralizer braces 64 are shown forcentering the flexible link 56 within the flexible conduit 14. A biasmember 66 is preferably provided by a torsion spring which is connectedbetween the fitting 18 and the orifice 20 and the flexible link 56. Acoupler 68 secures the flexible link 56 to a run-out end of the biasmember 66, which is preferably provided by a torsion spring. The biasmember 66 provides a motive force for moving the flexible link 56 topull the link pin 58 from engaging within the valve latch 54. A portionof the fitting 40 adjacent the valve latch 54 preferably has an undercut70. The undercut 70 may be provided by a circumferentially extendinggroove, or by apertures formed radially into a first end of the fitting40 to extend along a circumference of the fitting 40, in an angularlyspaced, diametrically opposed arrangement.

FIG. 2 is sectional view of the flexible sprinkler head 12 of FIG. 1,taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows a frontal elevationview of an X-brace type valve latch 54 in an unlatched position. FIG. 3is a side elevation view of a slider lock 72 of FIG. 2, and shows thelock pin 74 in a released position. The valve latch 54 is shown havingeight slider locks 72 arranged with respective longitudinal axes 86 inan angularly spaced alignment, with the longitudinal axes disposed equalangular distances about a central point of a brace eye 94. When thebrace eye 94 is engaged by the flexible link 56, it is coaxial with acentrally disposed, longitudinal axis of the flexible link 56 and thelink pin 58. The brace eye 94 defines a centrally disposed section ofthe valve latch 54, defined within a link pin guide 96 to which firstends of the brace arms 88 are fixedly secured. The slider locks 72 eachpreferably have a brace arm 88 and a lock pin 74. In some embodiments,the brace arms 88 may be integrally formed as part of the valve element44. The lock pins 74 have an elongate stem 80, with a follower end 82and a protuberant end 84. Preferably, the follower end 82 and theprotuberant end 84 are of a round shapes. Space apart from theprotuberant end 84 is a fixed shoulder 78. A bias member 76 ispreferably provided by a wound coil spring for extending between thefixed shoulder 78 and a stop 92 provided on the brace arm 88, such thatthe lock pin 74 is urged to move away from the protuberance end 82toward the follower end 82. The brace arms 88 further include retainers90 for slidably securing the lock pins 74 to the brace arms 88 forreciprocating along respective ones of the longitudinal axes 86. Whenthe link pin 58 is not disposed within the brace eye 94, the lock pins74 are free to move toward follower ends 82 of respective ones of theslider locks 72 and the associated brace arms 88, such that followerends 82 protrude into the brace eye 94.

FIG. 4 is sectional view of the flexible sprinkler head 12 of FIG. 1,taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows frontal elevation viewof the X-brace valve latch 54 in a latched position. FIG. 5 is a sideelevation view and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a brace arm 88 and lockpin 74 of the X-brace latch 54 of FIG. 4, and shows the lock pin 74 inthe latched position. The flexible link 56 is shown in an initialposition, as show in FIG. 1, with the link pin 58 engaged within thebrace eye 94 of the valve latch 54. The link pin 58 being engaged withinthe brace eye 94 pushes the lock pins 74 of respective ones of theslider locks 72 radially outward from the brace eye 94, which moves theprotuberant portions 84 to radially extend into the undercut 70 andsecure the valve element 44 in a closed position. When the link pin 58is removed from within the brace eye 94, the bias members 76 will urgethe lock pins to move from latched positions, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,into the released positions show in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the valve element44 will open under the force of fluid pressure within the sprinklerbranch line 36.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an alternative lock pin 100. The lockpin 100 has a bias member 102 provided by a wound coil spring. The lockpin 100 preferably has an elongate stem 106, a follower end 108 and aprotuberant end 110. The follower end 108 and the protuberant end 110are preferably rounded ends. A fixed shoulder 104 is provided spacedapart from the protuberant end 110, for receiving the bias member 102there-between.

Vent holes 98 are preferably provided in the fitting 18 and the elbowfitting 40, such that moisture will drain from within the flexiblesprinkler head 12. In other embodiments, nitrogen or another inert gasmay be sealed within the flexible sprinkler head 12 to prevent moisturefrom being retained within the sprinkler head 12, rather than providingthe vent holes 98.

The X-brace valve element of the present invention may also be used inwet sprinkler installations, and in rigid sprinkler heads. For rigidsprinkler heads, flexible link 56 may be replaced by a rigid link suchas a solid rod or a rigid tube, and the flexible conduit 14 replacedwith a rigid tubular member, such as a pipe or tubing.

The present invention provides advantages of a flexible sprinkler headfor use in dry fire sprinkler installations. An X-brace configurationlocks a valve element in a latched position, until a fusible elementbreaks and then a bias member pulls a flexible link from within theX-brace configuration to release the valve element to open and allowwater flow through the flexible sprinkler head.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterationscan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A fire sprinkler head comprising: a conduit having a first end and a second end; sprinkler nozzle secured to said first end of said conduit, said sprinkler nozzle having a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice and fusible element which breaks when exposed to temperatures located above a preselected temperature; a second fitting secured to said second end of said conduit, wherein said second fitting is sized for securing to a sprinkler branch line; a valve disposed proximate to said second end, said valve having a valve element which is moveable from a latched position to a released position, wherein said valve element seals against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said latched position and said valve element passes fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said released position; and a link extending from said sprinkler nozzle to said valve latch, wherein breaking of said fusible element releases said link to move from said latched position to said released position, releasing said valve assembly.
 2. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slider locks, each of said locks having a lock pin and a brace arm, with said lock pins slidably secured to respective ones of said brace arms, wherein said slider locks are arranged to be angularly aligned about a brace eye, each lock pin having a follower end which extends into said brace eye when disposed in a released position and a corresponding protuberant end disposed on an opposite end of said lock pin from said follower end which extends outward of a respective one of said brace arm when disposed in said latched position, such that each of said protuberant ends extend into an undercut to secure said valve element to seal against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head.
 3. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 2, wherein said link has a link pin which extends into said brace eye and engages said follower ends of said lock pins to secure said lock pins in said latched positions.
 4. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 3, wherein said lock pins have bias members urging said follower ends to protrude into said brace eye.
 5. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 4, wherein said bias members are wound coil springs.
 6. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 1, where a second bias member is secured to extend between said link and said sprinkler nozzle, such that said link is pulled from within said brace eye when said fusible element in said sprinkler nozzle opens.
 7. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 6, wherein said second bias member is a wound torsion spring.
 8. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 7, further comprising a centralizer brace to centrally dispose said link within said conduit.
 9. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 8, wherein said valve comprises a swing check valve, and said brace arms are integrally formed as a single piece with said valve element.
 10. A fire sprinkler head comprising: a conduit comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end; sprinkler nozzle secured to said first end of said flexible conduit, said sprinkler nozzle having a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice and fusible element which breaks when exposed to temperatures located above a preselected temperature; a second fitting secured to said second end of said flexible conduit, wherein said second fitting is sized for securing to a sprinkler branch line; a valve disposed proximate to said second end, said valve having a valve element which is moveable from a latched position to a released position, wherein said valve element seals against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said latched position and said valve element passes fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said released position; and a flexible link extending from said sprinkler nozzle to said valve latch, wherein breaking of said fusible element releases said flexible link to move from said latched position to said released position, releasing said valve assembly.
 11. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of slider locks, each of said locks having a lock pin and a brace arm, with said lock pins slidably secured to respective ones of said brace arms, wherein said slider locks are arranged to be angularly aligned about a brace eye, each lock pin having a follower end which extends into said brace eye when disposed in a released position and a corresponding protuberant end disposed on an opposite end of said lock pin from said follower end which extends outward of a respective one of said brace arm when disposed in said latched position, such that each of said protuberant ends extend into an undercut to secure said valve element to seal against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head.
 12. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 11, wherein said flexible link has a link pin which extends into said brace eye and engages said follower ends of said lock pins to secure said lock pins in said latched positions.
 13. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 12, wherein said lock pins have bias members urging said follower ends to protrude into said brace eye.
 14. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 13, wherein said bias members are wound coil springs.
 15. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 10, where a second bias member is secured to extend between said flexible link and said sprinkler nozzle, such that said flexible link is pulled from within said brace eye when said fusible element in said sprinkler nozzle opens.
 16. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 15, wherein said second bias member is a wound torsion spring.
 17. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 16, further comprising a centralizer brace to centrally disposed said flexible link within said flexible hose.
 18. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 17, wherein said valve comprises a swing check valve, and said brace arms are integrally formed as a single piece with said valve element.
 19. A fire sprinkler head comprising: a conduit comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end; sprinkler nozzle secured to said first end of said flexible conduit, said sprinkler nozzle having a fusible element which opens when exposed to temperatures located above a preselected temperature; a second fitting secured to said second end of said flexible conduit, wherein said second fitting is sized for securing to a sprinkler branch line; a valve disposed proximate to said second end, said valve having a valve element which is pivotally moveable from a latched position to a released position, wherein said valve element seals against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said latched position and said valve element passes fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head when disposed in said released position; at least one of said sprinkler nozzle, said fitting and said valve having vent holes for venting moisture from within said conduit; a flexible link extending from said sprinkler nozzle to said valve latch, wherein breaking of said fusible element releases said flexible link to move from said latched position to said released position, releasing said valve assembly; a plurality of slider locks, each of said locks having a lock pin and a brace arm, with said lock pins slidably secured to respective ones of said brace arms, wherein said slider locks are arranged to be angularly aligned about a brace eye, each lock pin having a follower end which extends into said brace eye when disposed in a released position and a corresponding protuberant end disposed on an opposite end of said lock pin from said follower end which extends outward of a respective one of said brace arm when disposed in said latched position, such that each of said protuberant ends extend into an undercut to secure said valve element to seal against fluid flow through said fire sprinkler head. a link pin mounted to said flexible link and extending into said brace eye, engaging said follower ends of said lock pins to secure said lock pins in said latched positions; and wherein said lock pins have bias members urging said follower ends to protrude into said brace eye.
 20. The fire sprinkler head according to claim 19, wherein a second bias member is secured to extend between said flexible link and said sprinkler nozzle, such that said flexible link is pulled from within said brace eye when said fusible element in said sprinkler nozzle opens; wherein said second bias member is a wound torsion spring; wherein said valve comprises a swing check valve; and wherein said brace arms are integrally formed as a single piece with said valve element. 